Department for Transport

East-West Rail Link

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that the East West Rail scheme will be environmentally-friendly.

Paul Maynard: Sustainability and the environment is a core focus for East West Rail and will underpin the planning, design, and delivery phases of the scheme. East West Rail Company and the Department for Transport are working closely with DEFRA and organisations such as Natural England and the Woodland Trust to ensure environmental considerations are woven into decision-making.

East-West Rail Link: Freight

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the East West Rail scheme will have freight capacity.

Paul Maynard: Plans for East West Rail have maintained provision for current freight capacity. Provision for any anticipated future growth of the freight network will be made where affordable and operationally feasible.

Department for Transport: Energy Supply

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which provider supplies energy to his Department; how much CO2 was emitted through his Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria his Department uses to selecting an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The total emissions from energy use for the Department for Transport as reported in the 2018-19 Greening Government Commitments amounts to 88,292.68 tCO2e (tCO2e = tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents). The Department has taken a number of measures to reduce emissions from its energy use including: Moving to LED lighting when offices are refurbished or lighting systems are beyond economical repair;Consolidating our estate holdings wherever possible;Introducing renewable energy sources where it is feasible and economical to do so; andImproved energy efficiency of street lighting A number of different Crown Commercial Services suppliers provide energy to the Department for Transport. This is procured directly by the Crown Commercial Services and the Department for Transport has no involvement in the selection process.

London Airports: Railways

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a dedicated rail link between Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Paul Maynard: The Department continuously reviews the operation of the network and this includes access to airports. As part of the rail Market Led Proposals ‘Call for Ideas’ we received a range of proposals, including ideas relating to airport access. Proposals, which were commercially confidential, were assessed in terms of the Call for Ideas criteria that they should not need financial support from Government and promoters have been given feedback directly on their submissions.

Holyhead Port: Road Traffic Control

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Operation Yellowhammer HMG Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumptions, what estimate he has made of (a) the reduced flow rate in the Port of Holyhead  and (b) the potential effect of reduced flow rates on traffic congestion on the A55 and surrounding roads in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal; and if he will place in the Library copies of all research undertaken by the Government on the effects of leaving the EU without a deal on the (i) Port of Holyhead and (ii) local transport infrastructure.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department for Transport (DfT) carried out an assessment into the potential traffic disruption on the roads surrounding at the Port of Holyhead as part of its ongoing no deal planning assumptions. These findings have been shared with the relevant stakeholders, such as the Welsh Government and Local Resilience Forum (LRF) to allow for discussions to take place to fully understand their potential implications. It is now for the LRF to consider how this impacts on their traffic management plan and whether any amendments are required.

Lower Thames Crossing

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the lower Thames crossing project on the (a) M2 Junction 3, (b) A229 and (c) road infrastructure in Chatham & Aylesford constituency.

George Freeman: The Lower Thames Crossing statutory consultation was carried out in 2018 and outlined the forecast traffic impacts on the wider road network as a result of the scheme. The traffic flows use a measure called the passenger car unit (PCU) and a car equates to 1 PCU. A heavy goods vehicle is 2.5 PCUs as it uses more road space than a car. The traffic modelling showed that: At M2 junction 3, traffic flows are forecast to increase between 101 and 500 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) per hour on the majority of approaches and the junction, in both the morning (07:00 – 08:00) and ​​evening peak periods (17:00 – 18:00); On the A229, traffic flows are forecast to increase between 101 and 500 PCUs per hour northbound in morning peak period (07:00 – 08:00), and in both directions in the ​evening peak period (17:00 – 18:00); and  On roads within the Chatham and Aylesford constituency; a range of impacts are forecast, including a reduction in traffic flows on the M20 and an increase on the M2. However, the majority of roads within the constituency are forecast to see a​ ​small change in flow of between -99 PCUs and +100 PCUs per hour in both peak periods. Any impacts on the Strategic Road Network and wider road network will be considered during development of the Lower Thames Crossing project and in the context of long term investment planning in the Strategic Road Network. Highways England is continuing to work with Kent County Council and all other impacted local highway authorities as it continues to develop the design of the Lower Thames Crossing. Following its 2018 statutory consultation, Highways England is considering all of the responses it received and any changes to the scheme will be assessed in an updated version of the traffic model, and presented as part of the Lower Thames Crossing planning application (Development Consent Order).

Bus Services

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on extending the Cycle to Work scheme to include bus travel.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Secretary of State has had no discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on extending the Cycle to Work scheme to include bus travel.

Borders Railway Line: Carlisle

John Lamont: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to make an assessment of the feasibility of extending the Borders railway to Carlisle.

Chris Heaton-Harris: Work on this is ongoing. On 1 July 2019, Ministers of the UK and Scottish Governments and the Leaders of the five councils of the Borderlands Partnership signed the ‘Heads of Terms’ for the £394.5 million Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. This includes up to £10 million joint funding with Scottish Government to assess the feasibility of extending the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Carlisle. The full Heads of Terms document sets out further details of the projects being proposed and is available on the GOV.UK website at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/816873/Borderlands_Growth_Deal_-_Heads_of_Terms_2019.pdf

Railways: North of England

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve rail connectivity between South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Sheffield to Manchester corridor has recently seen an improvement which means that since 2018 there is an hourly Sheffield to Manchester Piccadilly service every day and two weekday trains per hour from New Mills Central to Manchester Piccadilly via Bredbury – one of these trains is a Hope Valley Sheffield service. We will be working with industry parties to deliver further improvements with the planned split of the Liverpool to Norwich East Midlands Railway service into a self-contained Liverpool to Nottingham service in 2021 and when the Hope Valley capacity improvement scheme is delivered thereafter.

Manchester-Sheffield Railway Line

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made on the capacity improvement scheme planned for the Hope Valley Line; and what recent discussions he has had with Network Rail to ensure that work is completed as quickly as possible.

Chris Heaton-Harris: Network Rail have completed the single option design for the railway infrastructure scheme proposed in the Hope Valley and are working on plans to progress the work to the next stage ‘Decision to Deliver’. Network Rail have developed a procurement plan to deliver the scheme, and expect to contact potential suppliers shortly. They will be working with the train operators to assess the best way to deliver this scheme during control period 6 (2019-2024) with the least disruption to passengers.

Freight

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason was the Government's procurement of additional freight capacity delayed.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of freight capacity for priority goods will be in place by 31 October 2019; and what assessment he has made of the effect on the supply of priority goods in the event that that capacity is not made available until 30 November 2019.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Government has been preparing since Article 50 was extended in April, and issued a Prior Information Notice to the market on 28 June marking the start of formal procurement activities. The Freight Capacity framework was put in place on 20 September and the Government remains on course to provide capacity to carry ‘category 1’ goods by 31 October.

Department for Transport: Brexit

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many non-disclosure agreements in relation to preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal his Department has signed with (a) private organisations and (b) public organisations between (i) 23 June 2016 and  22 August 2019 and (ii) since 22 August 2019.

Chris Heaton-Harris: 81 Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) relating to Brexit Preparations, including those signed for commercial purposes, have been signed between DfT and its stakeholders between June 2016 and 22 August 2019. Government has listened to industry concerns that NDAs have hindered constructive debate and exchange of information, restricting industry’s ability to help their members prepare for Brexit. Since 24 July 2019, the Department has not signed any new Brexit related NDAs.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Seasonal Workers

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps her Department is taking to support businesses using seasonal workers to remain viable in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Kelly Tolhurst: BEIS continues to engage across the business population to ensure their priorities are reflected and that businesses have the latest information on how to prepare themselves for Brexit, including through a targeted series of roadshows and events.In a no deal scenario, there will be a transitional period before a new immigration system commences in 2021. The Government announced the details of these transitional immigration arrangements on 4 September 2019 and they are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/no-deal-immigration-arrangements-for-eu-citizens-moving-to-the-uk-after-brexit

Energy Performance Certificates

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make a comparative assessment of her Department's guidance on the installation of heat pumps through the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme and the criteria by which Energy Performance Certificates are issued.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy currently has no plans to carry out a comparative assessment of installation guidance for heat pumps in relation to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM), who administer both domestic and non-domestic schemes, publish extensive guidance on the RHI, including guidance around the eligibility of heat pumps for the RHI. The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers publishes codes of practice for large scale non-domestic heat pumps. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government is responsible for Energy Performance Certificates. Guidance is available on the gov.uk website.

Rain Forests: Amazonia

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her Department's policies of recent trends in the level of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

Kwasi Kwarteng: BEIS is supporting a number of community, business and government-led initiatives, as part of the UK’s bilateral relationship with Brazil, that help increase the value of Brazil’s standing forest, promote the sustainability of agricultural production systems, and restore deforested land.Implementation arrangements for these initiatives regularly assess how deforestation levels, and the underlying drivers, are changing relative to recent trends. BEIS officials work closely with teams in the UK’s Embassies in Brazil to routinely monitor progress, risks and opportunities.Initiatives include:Supporting Brazilian state government leadership in Acre and Mato Grosso to reduce deforestation and grow sustainable farming and forestry industries (£43m of BEIS International Climate Finance, or ICF);Promoting entrepreneurship and investment in innovative sustainable forestry and farming businesses in Latin America (£19m of BEIS ICF);Helping UK companies to achieve their collective goal of securing a sustainable supply of soya to the UK from South America, through BEIS’s support to the UK Roundtable on Sustainable Soya; andSupporting the recently launched UK Global Resource Initiative Taskforce, comprising UK international businesses and experts, which will assess the UK’s wider footprint through commodity supply chains, and recommend clear actions for how businesses and government can lead a step change in the UK’s trade in sustainable commodities.

Electricity: Storage

Gillian Keegan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress has been made on developing large-scale electricity storage solutions.

Kwasi Kwarteng: As of 2018 there was around four gigawatts of storage on the system in Great Britain, and three gigawatts of this was from pumped hydro (National Grid Future Energy Scenarios, 2019). Government is investing to support further development of large-scale electricity storage solutions. In January this year Government launched the ‘Storage-at-Scale’ competition which commits up to £20 million to support the development of innovative, replicable solutions that could provide an alternative to conventional commercial large-scale energy storage technologies.

Business

Gillian Keegan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what incentives have been put in place to support businesses in developing and implementing sustainable business practices.

Kwasi Kwarteng: There is significant potential for UK businesses of all types and sizes to reduce environmental impacts, including carbon emissions, and to save money by moving to more sustainable practices. Change is needed to achieve the Government’s commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and delivery of the targets of the 25-Year Environment Plan. The Government has rolled out numerous incentives to support businesses in increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon, while ensuring the availability of affordable energy. Some of these include:the Climate Change Agreement Scheme, which offers discounts to the Climate Change Levy tax in exchange for signing up to and meeting energy efficiency or carbon reduction targets.the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, a mandatory energy assessment scheme for large businesses.the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, a £315m fund to support industrial energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects.the Clean Steel Fund, £250m to support decarbonisation of the UK steel sector.

Electricity: Prices

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to Operation Yellowhammer: HMG Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumptions paragraph 5, what estimate she has made of the level of change to electricity prices in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government recognises the importance to businesses and households of having access to an affordable, secure and sustainable supply of energy. The Yellowhammer Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumptions are not based on a single forecast of expected prices. Many factors impact electricity prices including factors such as fuel prices, exchange rates and generation mix.We expect that any change in electricity prices in Great Britain as a result of changes to interconnector trading arrangements would fall within the normal range of market volatility.We assume in this Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumption that the Single Electricity Market (SEM) shared between Northern Ireland and Ireland may not be able to continue. If this is the case we would expect higher and more volatile electricity prices in Northern Ireland as a result of losing benefits from the more efficient, shared market. By far the best outcome for electricity in Northern Ireland is to maintain the SEM and the Government remains committed to seeking to maintain the SEM in any scenario.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Hugh Gaffney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps she is taking to raise awareness of the Warm Home Discount Scheme among people who are eligible to participate in it.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Department for Work and Pensions engage with participating energy suppliers to match the name and address details of those who fall within the “Core Group” of people automatically eligible for the Warm Home Discount and will write to them, either confirming, in the large majority of cases, that the discount will be paid automatically, or explaining that they need to verify their details with the Warm Home Discount helpline. Notice is also provided to the public through GOV.UK, the website for the UK Government. For the “Broader Group” (those who may be eligible subject to an application) participating energy suppliers notify their customers in a variety of ways, including on their websites and some also choose to write to them or use referral bodies. Some organisations, such as Citizens Advice, also signpost eligible individuals to the scheme.

Keadby Power Station

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Keadby Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Damhead Creek Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Castleford Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Barkantine Heat and Power Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of West Burton CCGT Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of South Humber Bank Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Corby Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Didcot B Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Great Yarmouth Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Pembroke Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Seabank Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Burghfield Natural Gas Power Station.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a) generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Medway Natural Gas Power Station.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Generation capacity information for GB can be located on the TEC Register on the National Grid ESO website at https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/149106/download Decommissioning decisions are a commercial matter for the company concerned.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Energy Supply

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which provider supplies energy to his Department; how much CO2 was emitted through his Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria his Department uses to selecting an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) uses theEnergy Suppliers listed below: ElectricityGasOtherKing Charles StreetEDFEONWhitehall District HeatingHanslope ParkEDFN/AFuel-Oil – Certas EnergyLancaster HouseEDFBritish Gas &Corona Carlton GardensEDFCorona Wilton ParkEDF & British GasEDF & CoronaBiomass - woodchip from The Wiston Estate Gas Oil - Pace FuelcareThe energy used by the FCO across its UK estate is procured using the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), apart from Fuel Oil at Wilton Park.We endeavour to use renewable and low carbon heat where feasible, however due to operational reasons other fuel-oils are needed to supplement these.In 2018/19 the FCO's UK energy consumption accounted for 7357 tCO2e. A focus for the FCO is to reduce the electricity consumption across its estate through a roll-out of energy efficient user IT equipment, moving towards a virtualised data centre environment, as data centre electricity accounts for around 30% of total FCO UK electricity consumption, and more widely looking into the feasibility of renewable and low carbon energy and heat across its estate.The carbon emissions figure quoted above represents CO2 emitted from energy consumption for the FCO's UK operations, in line with our reporting for the Greening Government Commitments targets and in our annual sustainability report.

West Bank: LGBT People

Paul Masterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has had made to the Palestinian Authority on (a) its decision to prevent Palestinian LGBTQ group Al Qaws from holding events in the West Bank and (b) the effect of that decision on the LGBTQ community in the West Bank.

Dr Andrew Murrison: ​The Government shares your concern about the Palestinian Police statement banning LGBT activities, which has now been removed. Officials from our British Consulate-General in Jerusalem raised our concerns with the Palestinian Authorities and directly engaged with Al Qaws and international partners on this matter. We will continue to encourage all governments to respect the rights of LGBT people, especially those that criminalise homosexuality and those that fail to defend the rights of LGBT people against social prejudice and violence.

Armed Conflict: Children

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what provision the review of the UK’s protection of civilians strategy is making for the specific vulnerabilities faced by children in conflict zones.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: ​The Government is reviewing its strategy on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. It is committed to ensuring that the outcome of the review is fully consistent with International Humanitarian Law, which does not draw distinctions between categories of civilians. The Government's approach will benefit all civilians, with a clear understanding of their diverse needs, and will reflect both the changing international landscape and complexity of many modern conflicts. The review also provides an opportunity for the Government to consider recent research by academics and Non-Governmental Organisations in this important field.

Armed Conflict: Civilians

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department’s review of the UK’s protection of civilians strategy will embed (a) civilian casualty recording and (b) civilian harm-tracking mechanisms to improve understanding of the impacts of conflict on civilians.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is leading a review of the Government's approach to Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict – an initiative that coincides with the 20th anniversary of the first Protection of Civilians Resolution to be agreed by the UN Security Council in 1999 (UNSCR 1265). The review involves contributions from both the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence and is an opportunity for the Government to take into account recent developments in the field of Protection of Civilians policy, including work by states, international organisations, civil society and academia, and to consider a wide range of issues, including inter alia casualty recording and civilian harm-tracking mechanisms. The review will be completed by the end of 2019.

Human Rights

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen support for mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: Support for international criminal justice and international humanitarian law is a fundamental element of the UK's foreign policy. The UK believes that justice and accountability for the most serious international crimes are crucial to building lasting peace and security. In line with these principles, the British Government has supported the strengthening of a number of mechanisms to enable justice and accountability for the most serious international crimes.The UK, as a State Party to the Rome Statute, provides financial, political and practical support to the International Criminal Court. We are one of the largest contributors to the Court, contributing £9.7m in 2018. The UK, together with a number of other States Parties, is proposing a number of actions to strengthen the Court to help it to fulfil its mandate under the Rome Statute. These will be discussed at the Assembly of States Parties in December. Our goal is to improve the Court's ability to deliver justice for victims of atrocity crimes that fall under its jurisdiction.Since 2016, we have committed almost £1 million to the UN International Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to support the preparation of legal cases for serious crimes under international law committed in the Syrian conflict. Following UK-led lobbying, on 1 August the UN Secretary General announced a new Board of Inquiry to investigate attacks on civilian infrastructure during the recent violence in Northwest Syria. We are also committed to supporting the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM). The UK played a leading role in the joint EU-OIC resolution that set up the IIMM, which will collect and preserve evidence of human rights violations for future prosecutions.Furthermore, we intend to establish a UK human rights sanctions regime under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 after we leave the EU. The regime designed to target individuals who have committed serious human rights violations, but who would otherwise not be addressed by the current geographical and thematic sanctions regimes.The UK is also committed to strengthening justice for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and holding perpetrators to account at the national and international levels through its Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI). This is the main focus of the UK-hosted PSVI international conference in London, 18-20 November, and a key outcome will be to agree concrete actions with the international community to ensure accountability for these horrific crimes.We work through the multilateral system not only to support the implementation of agreed standards on human rights, democracy and the rule of law; but also to hold countries to account when they violate those standards. For example, in the OSCE the UK was instrumental in invoking the Moscow Mechanism in response to the serious human rights violations in Chechnya. The UK has been vocal in both the Permanent Council and the Human Dimension Committee in its criticism of those participating states that fail to uphold universally agreed principles. Similarly, in the Council of Europe the UK has been consistent in challenging those member states that fail to meet their obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights, including the execution of judgements by the Court.

South Sudan: Peace Negotiations

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his South Sudanese counterpart on the peace talks in that country.

Andrew Stephenson: The UK, with our Troika partners (US and Norway), continue to pressure the South Sudanese parties to deliver the commitments made in the 12 September 2018 peace agreement. When I met the President of South Sudan on 13 August I reaffirmed the UK's support for the people of South Sudan. I urged President Kiir to take the steps necessary to form a government of national unity, as set out in the peace agreement. Our Ambassador in Juba has reinforced this message with all sides, including with President Kiir on 3 September and with Foreign Minister Awut on 11 September.

Afghanistan: USA

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the US withdrawal from talks with the Taliban on the future of Afghanistan.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: ​There remains a fundamental need for a peace process in Afghanistan in order to secure a better future for Afghanistan. All sides have stated their commitment to achieve this. To make that possible, the British Government supports a swift return to dialogue, and calls on all sides to reduce the violence.

Middle East: Yazidis

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps he has taken to support the Yazidi people in Iraq and Syria.

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department has made available to members of Yazidi communities from Iraq and Syria that have (a) returned and (b) sought to return to their home areas.

Dr Andrew Murrison: ​We are committed to supporting the rights of the Yazidi community, like other minority groups, in Iraq and Syria and assisting them to overcome the appalling suffering they faced from Daesh. We support the safe, voluntary and dignified return of displaced members of the Yazidi community to areas liberated from Daesh in Iraq and continue to engage with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government on this. I discussed this with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim on 25 June. We have also contributed £23.5 million to the UN's Funding Facility for Stabilisation to help Iraq rebuild liberated areas to enable return. In north-east Syria, DFID supports UN and other humanitarian agencies to provide life-saving aid to displaced persons, including Yazidis. This assistance includes healthcare; child protection and education; and emergency supplies such as shelter and food.

Middle East: Yazidis

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) physical safety and (b) human rights of members of Yazidi communities from Iraq and Syria that have (i) returned and (ii) sought to return to their home areas.

Dr Andrew Murrison: British Embassy Baghdad made an assessment in May 2019 on the situation of Yazidis that were returning or seeking to return to their home areas. This was informed by a visit by the British Ambassador to Baghdad, Jon Wilks, to Yazidi areas of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and discussions with Yazidi leaders and IDPs. The principal Yazidi concerns as expressed to the Embassy were physical safety, including related to the behaviour of state security actors; justice for the victims of Daesh; and restoration of services, including reconstruction and psycho-social support. We continue to encourage and support progress on all these issues.

Middle East: Yazidis

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the Government provides to survivors of sexual violence among the Yazidi people in Iraq and Syria.

Dr Andrew Murrison: ​The UK has provided significant support to survivors of sexual violence, including Yazidis, in both Iraq and Syria.Besides humanitarian assistance, UK support to survivors of sexual violence in Iraq has been primarily through the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh (UNITAD), to which the UK has contributed £2 million. UNITAD has a stand-alone Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Children's Unit, created to address the unique gender aspects of Daesh crimes; a Victim and Witness Support Unit, which has developed a strategy to incorporate safeguards and protections for vulnerable groups; and psychologists to provide support to victims and witnesses.In Syria we have supported many efforts to assist survivors of sexual violence. These include projects to map and vet support services for survivors of sexual violence; train doctors to provide forensic medical reports; produce in depth case files on the Daesh slave trade; and train first responders for child and adult survivors. We have also allocated nearly £30 million to the UN Population Fund to help reduce and mitigate gender-based violence and provide life-saving sexual and reproductive health services.As part of the UK's continued global leadership on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, the UK will host an International Conference in November entitled "Time for Justice: Putting Survivors First" to galvanise the world into further action.

Kashmir: Politics and Government

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the recent amendments made to the Constitution of the Republic of India affecting (a) Article 370 and the status of territories within Jammu and Kashmir and (b) Article 35A and the constitutional autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: ​We are following the serious situation in Kashmir closely and are in regular contact with the Governments of India and Pakistan. Events in Kashmir can have regional and international implications and we continue to urge calm and caution from all. The longstanding policy position of the UK remains unchanged: It is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir bilaterally, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people

Kashmir: Politics and Government

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the human rights implications of recent restrictions imposed by authorities of the Republic of India on (a) public meetings and (b) communications leading to the deprivation of liberty for political leaders within the territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: ​We are following the serious situation in Kashmir closely. The continued use of detentions and the continued restrictions on communications are worrying. It is important that individual rights are fully respected and that there is constructive dialogue with affected communities. We have raised our concerns with the Indian Government. The Prime Minister discussed the situation in Kashmir with PM Modi of India and PM Khan of Pakistan. The Foreign Secretary discussed this issue with his Indian counterpart Dr Jaishankar. As the Minister responsible for South Asia, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon has also had a number of conversations with both the Indian High Commissioner and the Pakistani High Commissioner regarding the situation.

Kashmir: Politics and Government

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effect on the rule of law in the Republic of India of the procedures recently used by the Indian Government to amend Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution of India.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: We are following the serious situation in Kashmir closely and have raised our concerns with the Indian Government about ongoing restrictions in India-administered Kashmir. We welcome information provided by the Indian Government on how they intend to return the situation to normalcy and lift the remaining restrictions. We recognise that there are human rights concerns in Kashmir and we encourage all states to ensure domestic laws are in line with international standards.

Kashmir: Politics and Government

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help prevent the escalation of conflict over disputed territories and laws within the areas of India-controlled Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: ​The Prime Minister has spoken with Prime Minister Modi of India and Prime Minister Khan of Pakistan. He underlined the importance of maintaining dialogue. The Foreign Secretary has also spoken with his Indian counterpart Dr Jaishankar and expressed concerns and called for calm. As the Minister responsible for South Asia, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon has also had a number of conversations with both the Indian High Commissioner and the Pakistani High Commissioner regarding the situation. We encourage India and Pakistan to find lasting diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability. Events in Kashmir can have regional and international implications and we are following the situation closely.

Kashmir: Politics and Government

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations his Department has made to the Indian Government on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: We are following the situation in Kashmir closely and are in regular contact with the Governments of India and Pakistan. The Prime Minister has spoken to Prime Minister Modi about the situation and the Foreign Secretary raised his concerns with his Indian counterpart Dr Jaishankar. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon has also spoken on a number of occasions with both the Indian High Commissioner and Pakistan High Commission about the situation. Events in Kashmir can have regional and international implications and we continue to urge calm and caution from all.

Human Rights

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen support for mechanisms enabling perpetrators to be held accountable for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: Support for international criminal justice and international humanitarian law is a fundamental element of the UK's foreign policy. The UK believes that justice and accountability for the most serious international crimes are crucial to building lasting peace and security. In line with these principles, the British Government has supported the strengthening of a number of mechanisms to enable justice and accountability for the most serious international crimes.The UK, as a State Party to the Rome Statute, provides financial, political and practical support to the International Criminal Court. We are one of the largest contributors to the Court, contributing £9.7m in 2018. The UK, together with a number of other States Parties, is proposing a number of actions to strengthen the Court to help it to fulfil its mandate under the Rome Statute. These will be discussed at the Assembly of States Parties in December. Our goal is to improve the Court's ability to deliver justice for victims of atrocity crimes that fall under its jurisdiction.Since 2016, we have committed almost £1 million to the UN International Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to support the preparation of legal cases for serious crimes under international law committed in the Syrian conflict. Following UK-led lobbying, on 1 August the UN Secretary General announced a new Board of Inquiry to investigate attacks on civilian infrastructure during the recent violence in Northwest Syria. We are also committed to supporting the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM). The UK played a leading role in the joint European Union-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation resolution that set up the IIMM, which will collect and preserve evidence of human rights violations for future prosecutions.Furthermore, we intend to establish a UK human rights sanctions regime under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 after we leave the EU. The regime designed to target individuals who have committed serious human rights violations, but who would otherwise not be addressed by the current geographical and thematic sanctions regimes.We work through the multilateral system not only to support the implementation of agreed standards on human rights, democracy and the rule of law; but also to hold countries to account when they violate those standards. For example, in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the UK was instrumental in invoking the Moscow Mechanism in response to the serious human rights violations in Chechnya. The UK has been vocal in both the Permanent Council and the Human Dimension Committee in its criticism of those participating states that fail to uphold universally agreed principles. Similarly, in the Council of Europe the UK has been consistent in challenging those member states that fail to meet their obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights, including the execution of judgements by the Court.

Kashmir: Human Rights

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what (a) assessment he has made of the effect of reports of arbitrary indefinite detention in Kashmir and (b) representations the Government has made to the Government of (a) India and (b) Pakistan on the human rights of Kashmir residents.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: We are following the serious situation in Kashmir closely. The continued use of detentions and the continued restrictions on communications is worrying. It is important that individual rights are fully respected and that there is constructive dialogue with affected communities. We have raised our concerns with the Governments of India and Pakistan. The Prime Minister raised his concerns about the situation with PM Modi and PM Khan. The Foreign Secretary has also discussed Kashmir with his Indian counterpart Dr Jaishankar. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon has also spoken on a number of occasions with both the Indian High Commissioner and Pakistan High Commission about the situation.

Sudan: Politics and Government

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role the troika of UK, US and Norway has had in Sudan’s constitutional settlement.

Andrew Stephenson: ​Along with Africa Union and Ethiopian mediation efforts the Troika (UK, US and Norway) engaged frequently with members of the Transitional Military Council and the Forces of Freedom and Change to encourage an agreement. The UK and our Troika partners welcomed the signing of a Constitutional Declaration on 17 August setting out the process of transition to civilian-led government. On 22 August the UK, with Troika countries, issued a statement congratulating Dr. Abdalla Hamdok on his appointment as Prime Minister and commended his commitment to freedom, peace and justice (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dr-abdalla-hamdok-made-prime-minister-of-sudan-troika-statement).

Sudan: Politics and Government

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has discussed term limits for governing and elected officials in Sudan with (a) military leaders and (b) civilian members of the (i) sovereign council and (ii) legislative council and (c) Ministers of that country.

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Sudanese counterpart on the process of appointing a new President in that country.

Andrew Stephenson: ​The UK welcomes the Constitutional Declaration signed on 17 August which sets out the plan for Sudan's transition to civilian-led government. We are engaging with the Sovereign Council and newly appointed Prime Minister to support reform and change in Sudan. On 11 September, our Ambassador in Khartoum met with Prime Minister Hamdok to discuss how the UK can provide practical support to the Prime Minister's priorities of establishing peace across Sudan and reforming the economy. We look forward to working with the Cabinet, including the new Foreign Minister Asma Mohamed Abdalla. Our Ambassador in Khartoum has also met with a number of civilian members of Sudan's Sovereign Council, including Mohamed Hasan al Ta'yushi on 2 September and Aisha Musa on 22 September, to discuss a range of issues such as the importance of civilian roles in democracy. As part of the agreed process of transition to civilian rule set out in the Constitutional Declaration the Sovereign Council acts in lieu of a head of state during the 39 month transition period. The UK does not take a view on term limits of governing and elected officials in Sudan, but we do support the establishment of proper democratic processes in line with the agreed Constitutional Declaration.

Sudan: Politics and Government

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations the troika of the US, UK and Norway has made to the new governing coalition in Sudan on tackling breaches of law and order in Darfur.

Andrew Stephenson: On 22 August the UK and Troika partners (Norway and the US) issued a statement that commended the new Prime Minister of Sudan's commitment to peace, freedom and justice, and highlighted the need to establish peace within its borders. We urge the Sudanese armed movements and the Government of Sudan to engage constructively to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict in Darfur, one that brings security and stability to all in Sudan. This was reiterated in a statement by the UK at the UN Security Council on 26 August (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dr-abdalla-hamdok-made-prime-minister-of-sudan-troika-statement).

Human Trafficking

Mr Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role his Department plays in the prevention of human trafficking.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: ​The Government is committed to realising Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, the eradication of all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking by 2030, and has made tackling modern slavery and human trafficking a foreign policy priority.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office works closely with bilateral partners to counter modern slavery and human trafficking. For example, the UK has signed Memoranda of Understanding on aspects of combating modern slavery with Malta and the Philippines, and has contributed to the improved effectiveness of law enforcement authorities, including in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and the Philippines. In cooperation with other Government departments, the FCO supports a range of projects in this area, including on child labour, children in conflict, those working in the garment and construction industries, and safe migration. We also drive forward the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking in multilateral fora, including in the UN, Commonwealth, Council of Europe, and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The Call to Action to End Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking launched by the UK at UNGA 2017 has now been endorsed by nearly 90 countries, showing a growing international consensus to tackle these heinous crimes. The Government wants to harness this momentum to deliver further tangible progress towards delivering SDG 8.7.

Human Rights

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen mechanisms to enable perpetrators to be accountable for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: Support for international criminal justice and international humanitarian law is a fundamental element of the UK's foreign policy. The UK believes that justice and accountability for the most serious international crimes are crucial to building lasting peace and security. In line with these principles, the British Government has supported the strengthening of a number of mechanisms to enable justice and accountability for the most serious international crimes.The UK, as a State Party to the Rome Statute, provides financial, political and practical support to the International Criminal Court. We are one of the largest contributors to the Court, contributing £9.7m in 2018. The UK, together with a number of other States Parties, is proposing a number of actions to strengthen the Court to help it to fulfil its mandate under the Rome Statute. These will be discussed at the Assembly of States Parties in December. Our goal is to improve the Court's ability to deliver justice for victims of atrocity crimes that fall under its jurisdiction.Since 2016, we have committed almost £1 million to the UN International Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to support the preparation of legal cases for serious crimes under international law committed in the Syrian conflict. Following UK-led lobbying, on 1 August the UN Secretary General announced a new Board of Inquiry to investigate attacks on civilian infrastructure during the recent violence in Northwest Syria. We are also committed to supporting the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM). The UK played a leading role in the joint European Union and Orginisation of Islamic Cooperation resolution that set up the IIMM, which will collect and preserve evidence of human rights violations for future prosecutions.Furthermore, we intend to establish a UK human rights sanctions regime under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 after we leave the EU. The regime designed to target individuals who have committed serious human rights violations, but who would otherwise not be addressed by the current geographical and thematic sanctions regimes.We work through the multilateral system not only to support the implementation of agreed standards on human rights, democracy and the rule of law; but also to hold countries to account when they violate those standards. For example, in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the UK was instrumental in invoking the Moscow Mechanism in response to the serious human rights violations in Chechnya. The UK has been vocal in both the Permanent Council and the Human Dimension Committee in its criticism of those participating states that fail to uphold universally agreed principles. Similarly, in the Council of Europe the UK has been consistent in challenging those member states that fail to meet their obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights, including the execution of judgements by the Court.

Abd a-Rahman a-Shteiwi

Dr Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Israeli Government on the alleged shooting by the Israeli Defence Force of a 9 year old Palestinian boy, Abd a-Rahman a-Shteiwi on 12 July 2019; and if he will make a statement.

Dr Andrew Murrison: ​Our Embassy in Tel Aviv has raised the death of Abd a-Rahman with the Israeli authorities, stressing the importance of protecting civilians, especially children. The Government is very concerned at the high numbers of Palestinian children killed and injured by Israel Defense Forces in the West Bank and Gaza. We have raised the issue of excessive use of force, including use of live ammunition with both the Office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories and the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Visas: EU Countries

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what plans the Government has to negotiate visa free travel between the UK and EU for short leisure and business visits after the UK leaves the EU.

James Duddridge: The European Union has confirmed that it will grant UK nationals visa-free travel for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180 day period - subject to reciprocity.The Government has also said that we do not intend to require visas for tourists or short term business visitors from the European Union.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Brexit

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions his Department has had with Oldham Council on preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

James Duddridge: The Department continues to engage across all regions of the country to ensure that the country as a whole is ready for Brexit, whatever the circumstances, on 31 October. It is a UK Government priority to ensure preparedness across both the country and the economy, including through working closely with local government.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Brexit

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what meetings her Department has had with Wirral Council to discuss preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

James Duddridge: Local government plays a vital role in preparing the country to be fully ready for Brexit on 31 October.We have stepped up our preparedness significantly and speak regularly to councils and partners, including through the Local Government Brexit Delivery Board and a network of nine regional chief executives. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government leads this engagement.Every council has designated a Brexit Lead Officer to work with central government to intensify their local preparations and, in total, we have made £77 million available to help local areas get ready for Brexit.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Energy Supply

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, which provider supplies energy to his Department; how much CO2 was emitted through his Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria his Department uses to selecting an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.

James Duddridge: DExEU is located across a number of buildings run by other government departments. We are not therefore responsible for the provision of energy to our buildings, or the tracking of the amount of energy used. DExEU continues to work with the Government Property Agency on the management of these arrangements, and in doing so ensuring that we play our part in working to the Government Greening Commitments.

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on (a) residency and (b) healthcare rights for UK nationals living in the EU of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

James Duddridge: The Government has always been clear that the best way to protect citizens’ rights is to secure a deal with the EU.In the event of no deal, the UK has made a unilateral offer to protect the rights of EU citizens residing in the UK by exit day, and this includes continued entitlement to healthcare. Where possible, we have also made unilateral commitments to protect the rights of UK nationals living in the EU.We welcome that all Member States have now put in place measures to protect the residency rights of UK nationals living in the EU by exit day but there are still areas where we hope that Member States will improve their offers to UK nationals, in line with what we have offered. We will continue to press for reciprocity and ask Member States to communicate their detailed plans as soon as possible.Reciprocal healthcare arrangements cannot be fully protected unilaterally by the UK. That is why we are seeking arrangements at EU level or with Member States to apply the current social security coordination framework, including reciprocal healthcare, in full until the end of 2020.To support UK-insured individuals living in the EU before exit day, the UK Government will also, for six-months after exit day (from 1 November 2019 until 30 April 2020), reimburse healthcare costs or pay providers directly where necessary.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Brexit

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many civil servants in his Department were actively working on preparations for (a) no deal and (b) a deal with the EU as of 26 September 2019.

James Duddridge: The Department continues to recruit talent from across the civil service, the wider public sector and the private sector. The Department for Exiting the European Union has over 700 staff working with other government departments on all aspects of EU Exit work. There is no specific division between the various aspects of EU Exit work as there is necessary overlap to support all the objectives of the Department.

Department of Health and Social Care

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September to Question 284853 on prescription fees and charging, whether NHS England will publish its own impact assessment on the effects of the consultation on dispensing doctors.

Jo Churchill: The Department’s consultation on changes to the reimbursement of pharmacy contractors has now closed and responses are being analysed. The impact assessment that was published alongside the consultation document will be updated with information provided by respondents to the consultation which includes dispensing doctors and bodies representing them. No separate impact assessment will be undertaken by NHS England and NHS Improvement in relation to the consultation.

Clostridium: Health Services

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of community-acquired c-difficile infections require hospitalisation.

Jo Churchill: Public Health England (PHE) does not collect data on community-acquired Clostridium difficile infections (CDI). However, PHE collects data on community-onset CDI. Community-onset CDI are those cases occurring without or within two days of a hospital admission.In approximately half of the community-onset CDI cases (50.1% or 3,706/399 cases), the patient was either admitted to hospital at the time of the first positive sample or admitted shortly afterwards.It should be noted that this information is in part reliant on completion of an optional data field and therefore ascertainment may not be optimal. PHE does not collect information on the reasons of the patient being admitted to the hospital. Therefore, in some cases the admission to hospital may have been for other reasons than the CDI.

Clostridium

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of incidences of an outbreak of c-difficile Infection in NHS hospitals after a single case of that infection was diagnosed.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Public Health England (PHE) does not run surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) outbreaks. Data are captured at the case level and this is published as national statistics on the incidence of the disease.Cases are categorised based on their timing of detection, in relation to admission to hospital and the patient’s prior exposure to hospital. The national statistics do not group cases into outbreaks. If there is clinical suspicion of an outbreak, then local Infection Prevention and Control teams will investigate further but this is outside the scope of national mandatory surveillance.

Antibiotics: Drug Resistance

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for research on antibiotic resistance.

Jo Churchill: We have not conducted a formal assessment of the potential merits of more funding, beyond those already laid out in the United Kingdom five-year antimicrobial resistance (AMR) national action plan. This is because research on AMR is already a very high priority for research funders. There is already extensive activity in AMR research, by each funder and between funders, to identify key priorities and ensure that these are funded. The national action plan was published in January 2019 and sets out our commitment to invest in research to better understand the routes of transmission between humans, animals and the environment. This will enable the development of new products and support the kind of inter-disciplinary research that will inform effective interventions and strategies to most benefit front line teams.

NHS: Capital Investment

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many bids for capital spending (a) his Department, (b) NHS England and (c) NHS Improvement has (i) rejected and (ii) not responded to in each of the last five years; and what the total value was of the bids (A) rejected and (B) not responded to in each of the last five years.

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average length of time was for (a) his Department, (b) NHS England and (c) NHS Improvement to respond to bids for capital spending in each of the last five years.

Edward Argar: The information requested on capital bids received by the Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement for capital spending are not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.There have been a multitude of capital funds in the last five years varying in value, complexity and outcome objective and NHS England and NHS Improvement are in on-going discussions with trusts about their capital needs and plans.

5G: Health Hazards

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which organisations his Department consulted on the effect of 5G towers on public health.

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effect of 5G towers on public health.

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what research his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned on the effect of 5G towers on public health.

Jo Churchill: The Department has supported research in relation to concerns that there might be adverse effects from exposure to the low levels of radio waves from mobile phones and base stations. The independently managed Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) programme ran from 2001 until 2012 and funded 31 projects, leading to over 60 publications. Information about the MTHR programme and the studies it supported can be found at the following link: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/*/http://www.mthr.org.uk/ The Department continues to support research on exposure to radio waves, including the ongoing Cohort Study of Mobile Phone Use and Health (COSMOS) and the Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phone studies (SCAMP) at Imperial College London. Information about these studies can be found at the following links: http://www.thecosmosproject.org/ http://www.scampstudy.org/ Advice from Public Health England (PHE) is based on health-related evidence reviews prepared by scientific expert groups in the United Kingdom and around the world. The independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation published their report in the UK in 2012 and the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) published their report in 2015. These reviews are are available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/radiofrequency-electromagnetic-fields-health-effects https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/scientific_committees/docs/citizens_emf_en.pdf Exposure measurements made at publicly accessible locations near to mobile phone base stations have consistently been well within the guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. PHE considers it is possible that there may be a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves when 5G is added to an existing network or in a new area. However, the overall exposure is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and as such there should be no consequences for public health. PHE has published information about exposure to the radio waves from mobile phone base stations, including those for 5G networks, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mobile-phone-base-stations-radio-waves-and-health/mobile-phone-base-stations-radio-waves-and-health PHE continues to monitor the health-related evidence applicable to radio waves and is committed to updating its advice as required.

Ophthalmic Services: Medical Records

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason his Department ended funding for the National Ophthalmology Database audit.

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he will take to monitor the performance of ophthalmology services in the event of the cessation of the National Ophthalmology Database audit.

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to monitor availability of provision in catract surgery after funding of the National Ophthalmology Database ceases.

Jo Churchill: The Health Care Quality Improvement Partnership through the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme runs audits funded by NHS England for a range of clinical areas. Central funding is usually time limited and the National Ophthalmology Database Audit (NODA) was no exception. It should be noted less than 50% of ophthalmologist submitted their data. This Audit was commissioned for an initial three years of funding. This was then extended by two further years in 2017. Central funding is time limited to ensure a range of areas benefit over time. However, this does not mean an audit which is valued by a sector has to cease. Many audits move from central to other funding arrangements led by the sector. An audit provides an additional focus on improvement that those taking part benefit from, but all ophthalmology services continue to be subject to the same general standards whether or not they are taking part in the Audit programme. The intention of an audit is to look in a focussed way at outcomes and for the NODA this covered cataract surgery. The findings from the audit are available to surgeons and patients with the aim of driving continuous improvement. Participation in an audit, however, is not compulsory for trusts or individual surgeons and participation rates vary. Standards of individual clinical care continue to be the responsibility of the surgeon involved and, if appropriate, the relevant professional body.

NHS: Billing

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of invoices received by the NHS are paid within 30 days; and how many incur 29 per cent interest for late payment of more than 30 days.

Edward Argar: The Department does not centrally collect or hold performance payment data for the National Health Service. NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts are required to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) which states contracting authorities must pay valid and undisputed invoices within 30 days. NHS Improvement monitors Better Payments Practice Code performance data on a monthly basis. Page 47 of the Departmental annual report shows an improvement in the percentage of invoices paid within target from 77% (2017-18) to 79% (2018-19). The report is available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/832765/dhsc-annual-report-and-accounts-2018-to-2019.pdfThe Department does not hold information on how many invoices incur the 29% late payment interest.

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: Capital Investment

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what capital expenditure York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has incurred in each year since 2005-06.

Edward Argar: The available information is shown in the following table.Financial yearIntangibles £'000Property, Plant and Equipment £'000Total £'0002010-116099,83910,4482011-122364,1484,3842012-133111,22911,2602013-141,13715,27816,4152014-1526921,37721,6462015-167818,09618,1742016-1752813,40013,9282017-1863317,38818,0212018-191,26221,70222,964Source: NHS ImprovementCapital expenditure is a broad term. For this response it is defined as being purchases of owned property, plant and equipment and intangible assets on an accruals basis.

NHS: Drugs

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which medical products imported to the UK cannot be stockpiled due to (a) time limits on transport, (b) temperature restrictions, (c) short shelf lives and (d) any other reason.

Edward Argar: The Department has been working with trade bodies, product suppliers, and the health and care system in England to make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of all medicines and medical products to the whole of the United Kingdom in the event of a ‘no deal’ European Union exit. For those medicines that cannot be stockpiled because, for example, they have short shelf-lives, such as medical radioisotopes, we have asked suppliers to make alternative arrangements using airfreight. We have offered support to companies to arrange this.In parallel, the Department is setting up an express freight service designed to transport medicines and medical products into the UK if a supplier’s own contingency measures encounter difficulties or where there is a specific medical need.

Haemophilia: Medical Treatments

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that the supply of factor concentrates for haemophiliacs will not be affected in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Edward Argar: The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union. We want to reassure patients that our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and medical products, including those used in the treatment of haemophilia, when we leave the EU on 31 October. The Department, in partnership with the devolved administrations, has been working with trade bodies, product suppliers, and the health and care system across the UK to make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medicines, to the whole of the UK and its Crown Dependencies. On 26 June, we wrote to suppliers of medicines to the UK from or via the EU or European Economic Area setting out our continuing multi-layered approach to support continuity of supply of medicines and medical products from 31 October.Further details can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plansAhead of 31 October, all necessary funding will be made available to support our preparations.

NHS: Drugs

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the supply of medicines to NHS (a) providers and (b) hospitals in the Cheshire and Merseyside area in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Edward Argar: The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union. We want to reassure patients that our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and medical products when we leave the EU on 31 October.The Department, alongside NHS England and NHS Improvement, is ensuring that there is regular communication with frontline National Health Service organisations, local authorities and other key partners in the health and social care sector regarding our EU exit preparations. As part of this essential engagement, NHS England and NHS Improvement have been holding EU exit roadshows around the country in the lead up to 31 October in order to brief staff. On 26 June, we wrote to suppliers of medicines to the UK from or via the EU or European Economic Area setting out our continuing multi-layered approach to support continuity of supply of medicines and medical products from 31 October.Further details can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans

NHS: Drugs

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the National Audit Office's report, Exiting the EU: supplying the health and social care sectors, published on 27 September 2019, what assessment he has made of the effect on medical supplies in the event that government freight capacity is not adequate by 30 November 2019.

Edward Argar: On 27 September the National Audit Office published a report on the readiness of the Department’s preparations for the post-European Union exit supply of medicines and medical products. We want to reassure patients we are doing everything we can to help make sure they can access the medicines they need after EU exit, whatever the circumstances.We continue to implement a multi-layered approach to minimize any supply disruption on medicines and medical supplies, should the United Kingdom leave the EU without a deal. These plans include:- Procuring additional capacity on alternative routes (away from the short straits) for goods to continue to come into the UK ahead EU exit;- buffer stocks and stockpiling (where this is practical) or asking industry or the NHS Supply Chain to build up buffer stocks in the UK ahead of EU exit;- Arrangements to deal with shortages in addition to normal shortage management routes, enabling ministers to issue serious shortage protocols to pharmacists;- additional warehouse space for stockpiled medicines, including ambient, refrigerated and controlled drug storage;- working with industry to improve trader readiness in preparation for the new customs procedures that will come into force on day 1 if we leave the EU without a deal; and- changing or clarifying regulatory requirements so that companies can continue to sell their products in the UK if the UK leaves without a deal.The Department has implemented a multi-layered approach to mitigate potential disruption to supply. No one measure is relied on at any point in time in order to support uninterrupted supply of medicines and medical products.

NHS: Drugs

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the report entitled, Exiting the EU: supplying the health and social care sectors, published by the National Audit Office in September 2019.

Edward Argar: On 27 September the National Audit Office published a report on the readiness of the Department’s ‘no deal’ European Union exit preparations for the supply of medicines and medical products. The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for EU exit. We want to reassure patients that our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and medical products when we leave the EU on 31 October. As the NAO recognises, the Department, pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers have mounted an unprecedented response in preparing for EU Exit, with substantial stockpiles of medicines, which are increasing by the day. Combined with other measures in the Department’s multi-layered approach, including new transport routes coming online shortly, we are confident that we can help ensure that patients continue to receive the highest quality of care in the same way they do now.

Care Homes: Brexit

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of (a) nursing homes and (b) providers of domiciliary care have made preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and what support his Department has provided to those organisation to ensure that preparedness.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of (a) nursing homes and (b) other social care providers have complied with his advice on contingency planning for the UK leaving the EU; and what discussions officials of his Department have had with providers that have not complied with that advice.

Caroline Dinenage: The primary responsibility for ensuring continuity in the provision of adult social care – and for supporting providers to take the necessary steps to prepare for European Union exit on 31 October - lies with local authorities. The Government recognises the additional pressure that EU exit could place on providers and local authorities. That is why we have taken steps, nationally, to ensure all registered providers have the advice and support they need to make their preparations.We are working closely with the Care Providers Alliance, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Care Quality Commission to support local authorities and care providers to ensure that contingency plans are in place and are as robust as possible, including through regular monitoring of local-level intelligence. We are strengthening further our communication to providers and local authorities about the preparations they need to make. We are also assessing the robustness of the supply chain for non-clinical consumables for the adult social care sector to identify and enable us to act on any particular weaknesses.

NHS: Drugs

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the National Audit Office's report, Exiting the EU: supplying the health and social care sectors, published on 27 October 2019, what discussions he has had with healthcare providers to assess the adequacy of (a) medicines, (b) medical supplies, (c) freight capacity for securing continued supplies in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 31 October 2019.

Edward Argar: On 27 September the National Audit Office published a report on the readiness of the Department’s ‘no deal’ European Union exit preparations for the supply of medicines and medical products. The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for EU exit. We want to reassure patients that our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and medical products when we leave the EU on 31 October. The Department is working hand in hand with NHS England and NHS Improvement to facilitate our plans. We have also been working closely with trade bodies, product suppliers and the wider health and care system in England, and with the devolved administrations who have similarly been working closely with their health and social care systems.

Nurses: Recruitment

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with representatives of NHS England on the reintroduction of financial incentives to attract people into nursing careers.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the length of time  for nursing applications to reach pre-2015 levels in the event of the reintroduction of financial incentives for people entering the nursing profession.

Edward Argar: NHS England and NHS Improvement, with Health Education England, are leading work on the NHS People Plan, working alongside a wide range of external organisations in its formulation. As part of the development of the plan, arm’s length bodies have periodically updated Departmental Ministers on the scope of the People Plan nursing work strands which are focused on areas such as retaining, supporting the existing nursing workforce, increasing undergraduate supply and making the National Health Service the best place to work. Options for inclusion in the final People Plan will be a decision for the NHS People Board, ahead of the People Plan publication, planned by the end of this year. It is therefore not possible to make estimates on the impact of options which are not currently NHS or Government policy.

Nurses: Vacancies

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with representatives of healthcare providers on nursing vacancies in NHS trusts.

Edward Argar: Departmental ministers have numerous and wide-ranging discussions on a number of topics when they meet staff from National Health Service trusts this will include, but not limited to staffing levels and vacancies.

5G: Health Hazards

Dr Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the level of risk to health posed by 5G connectivity.

Jo Churchill: Public Health England (PHE) has published a webpage about exposure to the radio waves from mobile phone base stations, including those for 5G networks, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mobile-phone-base-stations-radio-waves-and-health/mobile-phone-base-stations-radio-waves-and-healthThis explains the health-related reviews and assessments have been performed, as well as the practical measures that are in place to protect public health.PHE continues to monitor the health-related evidence applicable to radio waves, including in relation to base stations, and is committed to updating its advice as required.

Attorney General

Crown Prosecution Service: Finance

Steve McCabe: To ask the Attorney General, what plans he has for the distribution of the additional funding for the Crown Prosecution Service announced in August 2019.

Michael Ellis: The Spending Round settlement for CPS for 2020-21 included £80m of additional funding.This additional funding will enable the CPS to:Meet the increased demand pressures following the government’s investment in additional police resourceDeliver improved performance in meeting statutory disclosure obligations andFund any recommended changes arising from the current review of Bar fees

Prosecutions

Steve McCabe: To ask the Attorney General, what estimate he has made of the number of people brought to trial for all categories of offences by the Crown Prosecution Service in each year since 2010.

Michael Ellis: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains a central record of the number of defendants subject to a trial hearing and collates the data collected in financial years. The table below shows the number of defendants subject to a trial hearing during each year from 2010-11 to 2018-19 in the magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court.Trial Defendants2010-112011-122012-132013-142014-152015-162016-172017-182018-19Crown Court (CC)191771871018133166011735617950176361600513597Magistrates' Court (MC)622815846053902542005458060309555984852242322National814587717072035708017193678259732346452755919

Department for Education

Apprentices: Barnsley

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many apprenticeships starts there were in Barnsley in each year since 2010.

Michelle Donelan: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Education: Energy Supply

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which provider supplies energy to his Department; how much CO2 was emitted through his Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria his Department uses to selecting an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.

Nick Gibb: The Department is mandated to use the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) energy frameworks for the supply of gas, electricity and liquid fuels. The CCS competes frameworks on the open market and selects the energy providers according to a set of award criteria, normally based on price and quality. The current suppliers for each of these services is: EDF Energy for half-hourly electricity, British Gas for non-half-hourly electricity, Corona for gas and various suppliers for liquid fuels.In 2018-19, the Department emitted 7,890 t/CO2e which represents a 63% reduction compared to 2009-10. This has been achieved through improved building management, estate rationalisation and co-location, and decarbonisation of grid electricity.

Sex and Relationship Education

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has plans to make LGBT-inclusive relationships and sex education compulsory in all schools.

Nick Gibb: The Department is making relationships education compulsory for all primary pupils, as well as relationships and sex education compulsory for all secondary pupils and health education compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools.The statutory guidance, published in June 2019, states that all pupils should receive teaching on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) relationships during their school years. Secondary schools should include LGBT content in their teaching. Primary schools are also strongly encouraged, when teaching about different types of family, to include families with same sex parents.The Department’s guidance recommends that LGBT specific content, when taught, is fully integrated in schools’ programme of study for this area of the curriculum. The guidance is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/805781/Relationships_Education__Relationships_and_Sex_Education__RSE__and_Health_Education.pdf.

Pupil Exclusions: Private Education

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information his Department holds on the number of pupils who have been excluded from private schools in (a) Lewisham, (b) London and (c) England in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is not held centrally, regarding private school exclusions.

Pupil Referral Units: Private Education

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department holds information on the number of pupils attending pupil referral units who were previously educated in the private sector.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is not held centrally, regarding whether a pupil previously attended a private school.

Voluntary Schools: Finance

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when his Department will announce whether two further voluntary aided schools are receiving state funding to open.

Michelle Donelan: The department continues to work with both proposers to identify suitable sites for their schools in Kingston upon Thames and Redbridge. We will provide further information in due course.

Adoption: Data Protection

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to ensure the security of data on children referred to Link Maker for adoption matching services.

Michelle Donelan: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Adoption: Data Protection

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department is required to publish data on the number of (a) referrals and (b) matches made by Link Maker for all agencies in England and Wales.

Michelle Donelan: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Adoption: Registration

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his policy is on ensuring that the most vulnerable children previously matched through the statutory Adoption Register are found adoptive parents.

Michelle Donelan: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Pupils: Disadvantaged

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2019 to Question 278348 on Pupils: Disadvantaged, whether he has made an assessment of trends in the level of attainment of children whose families are in receipt of universal credit.

Nick Gibb: The relevant data to make an assessment is not available. Data matching between the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions for research and statistics purposes is ongoing. As these developments complete, work of this kind will become possible in future.

Children: Day Care

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 23 July 2019 to Question 278350 on Children: Day Care, how many short breaks local authorities provided for disabled children and their families in each (a) region and (b) local authority area in each year since 2011.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is not held centrally.Short breaks for disabled children can be provided by local authorities under either section 17 or section 20 of the Children Act 1989. Whilst information on children receiving services is reported in the children in need census, the detail of the specific services or support provided to the child is not collected.

Students: Housing

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) regulation of purpose-built student accommodation providers and (b) safeguards for students affected by properties not being built in time for university starting dates.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of delays in the provision of new purpose-built student accommodation beyond the start date of students' courses  on (a) student well-being, (b) academic achievement of students and (c) taxpayer value for money.

Chris Skidmore: Higher education (HE) providers are autonomous bodies, independent from government; government plays no direct role in the provision of student residential accommodation. Each provider will be best placed to identify the needs of their particular student body and develop the services needed to support it. This includes the pastoral care, support and advice given to students affected by delays in provision of accommodation and any offers of alternative housing. Universities UK and GuildHE run a Code of Practice for university managed student accommodation that includes safety standards, the landlord-tenant relationship, and health and wellbeing. In addition, Student housing charity Unipol runs Codes that student accommodation providers can join by agreeing to meet a set of benchmark standards relating to: the physical condition of the accommodation; management of the property; and the relationship between landlord and tenants. This includes a Code specifically for private providers of large student housing developments.

Schools

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish the responses to the survey of local authorities undertaken by his Department in September 2019 on schools' preparedness for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Dance: Education

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to increase the take-up of dancing in schools to help tackle childhood obesity.

Nick Gibb: Dance can play an important role in engaging pupils in physical activity. The National Curriculum for physical education (PE) includes specific requirements on dance at Key Stages 1-3. In Key Stages 1 and 2 pupils should be taught to perform dances using movement patterns. At Key Stage 3 pupils should be taught to perform dances using advanced dance techniques in a range of dance styles and forms. Schools are free to decide how to offer dance as part of a diverse and challenging PE curriculum that suits the needs of all their pupils and it is up to schools to decide what extra-curricular activity they provide for their pupils. The PE and Sport premium provides £320 million a year funding to primary schools to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of PE and sport they offer, which can include dance. The Government published School Sport and Activity Action Plan in July 2019. It sets out actions to support schools to increase engagement and participation in PE, school sport and extra-curricular activities. The actions set out will be developed further and reflected in an updated plan in due course.

Free School Meals

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the implications for his Department's policies are of the finding by the Children's Commissioner for England in her report, Growing Up North, published in March 2018, that pupils from London who have had free school meals are twice as likely to go to university than equivalent children in the north.

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the implications for his Department's policies are of the finding by the Northern Powerhouse Project in its 2018 report, Educating the North, that  disadvantaged pupils in the north achieve attainment levels 1.3 percentage points less than the national disadvantaged average and 6.5 percentage points less than their disadvantaged peers in London.

Nick Gibb: Against a background of rising standards, disadvantaged pupils in schools are catching up with their peers as since 2011, the attainment gap in England has narrowed by 9.5% at age 16 and 13.2% at age 11. Our reforms and the extra funding provided through the pupil premium have contributed to this success.This year, schools in the North of England are receiving £787 million in additional funding through the pupil premium to improve the outcomes of their disadvantaged pupils. The Department has made available a wide range of resources to help schools make the greatest possible impact with their pupil premium grant.The Department is investing £72 million in the 12 Opportunity Areas to tackle barriers preventing children and young people from achieving their potential. This is at the heart of our work to learn what works best in areas with entrenched social mobility barriers so we can roll out successful approaches across the country. Five of the areas targeted are in the North of England (Blackpool, Oldham, Bradford, Doncaster, and the North Yorkshire Coast) and in addition we have Opportunity North East. The Department is investing over £70 million to boost educational outcomes in the North, including through the Northern Powerhouse Schools Strategy. Widening access and participation in higher education (HE) is a priority. Everyone with the ability to succeed in HE should have the opportunity to participate, regardless of their background or where they grew up.The Department has made real progress in ensuring universities are open to all. However, we are aware that more needs to be done to ensure that background isn’t a barrier to realising potential in HE.In our latest guidance to the Office for Students on access and participation, we asked them to secure greater, faster progress, particularly at the most selective institutions, through Access and Participation Plans. Through these plans, universities set out what activities they intend to take to ensure students from disadvantaged backgrounds or under-represented groups can access, participate, succeed and progress from HE.

National College Creative Industries

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, who the directors will be of the company limited by guarantee to run the National College of Creative Industries.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the funding allocated to the National College of Creative Industries will be subject to the same grant agreements after the establishment of the private company to replace that organisation.

Michelle Donelan: The National College for Creative Industries (NCCI) are currently consulting on their proposed partnership model. The model proposed would result in the NCCI company being responsible for the direction, brand and vision of the National College, and will discharge this responsibility through a board of directors, comprising representatives from the licensed partners and employers. As the NCCI are still at the consultation stage, no appointments have yet been made.If, following consultation, the proposed partnership model is agreed by the NCCI board there will be no direct funding relationship with the new NCCI company.

Free Schools: Hampstead and Kilburn

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much his Department has spent on the proposed Abacus Free School project in Hampstead and Kilburn constituency.

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the (a) potential merits, (b) affordability (c) feasibility of the redevelopment of Hampstead Police Station for Abacus Primary School.

Nick Gibb: The Department paid £14.1 million for the purchase of the former Hampstead Police Station for Abacus Belsize Primary School. It is proposed that not all of the site is allocated for the school, as sections of the site may be sold or leased for other purposes, subject to planning.The Abacus Primary School opened in temporary accommodation in September 2013 and there have been costs associated with the refurbishment of this temporary building. The Department publishes capital costs for all free schools on GOV.UK once all works are completed and costs are finalised. This will be the case with Abacus Belsize Primary School. Given that these can be large and complex projects, this can take some time between first opening and publication.There is considerable merit in this scheme as the building is in a suitable place and the school is popular and rated outstanding by Ofsted. The acquisition and development of the former Hampstead Police Station for use by Abacus Belsize Primary School has been the subject of a comprehensive site search and an extensive feasibility study, which has resulted in a detailed planning application that was submitted to the London Borough of Camden Council in May 2019. This is available to view at: www.camden.gov.uk/search-for-planning-applications. (reference number 2019/2375/p).

Ministry of Justice

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent steps he has taken to reduce the waiting times for personal independence payments appeals to be heard in the Garston and Halewood constituency.

Chris Philp: The Ministry of Justice expects appeal hearings to take place as quickly as possible and is carrying out a series of initiatives to increase capacity which will help reduce waiting times for appellants in Garston and Halewood, whose closest tribunal venue is in Liverpool. Since January 2018, additional panel members have been recruited to hear cases at the Liverpool venue. Four judges, seven medical members and one specialist member have been allocated to Liverpool as their primary venue and a further 13 judges, seven medical members and 4 specialist members have been allocated to Liverpool as their secondary venue. In addition to this, the capacity at the Liverpool venue has recently increased and it is now using five to six hearing rooms on a daily basis.

Ministry of Justice: Energy Supply

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which provider supplies energy to his Department; how much CO2 was emitted through his Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria his Department uses to select an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.

Chris Philp: The department is mandated to use the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Energy frameworks for the supply of gas, electricity and liquid fuels. The CCS competes the frameworks on the open market and selects the energy providers according to a set of award criteria, normally based on price and quality. The current suppliers of each of these services are as follow:EDF (Half-Hourly electricity);British Gas (Non Half-Hourly electricity);Corona (gas); andvarious suppliers (liquid fuels).In 2018/19, the department emitted 313,464 t/CO2e through its energy use which represents a 40 % reduction compared to 2009/10. This has been achieved through smarter working, estate rationalisation, and investment in energy and carbon reduction projects such as LED lighting, boiler optimisation controls and renewable or low carbon technologies.

Department for International Trade

Imports: Africa

Faisal Rashid: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will guarantee continued market access to the UK on current terms for exports from (a) Ghana, (b) Cameroon, (c) Côte d’Ivoire, (d) Kenya and (e) South Africa in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Conor Burns: The Government is seeking continuity in our trading arrangements on leaving the EU. Most recently, on 10 September 2019, the UK initialled an Economic Partnership Agreement with the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique (including South Africa). We will work at pace with our Southern African partners to sign the agreement and subsequently bring it into effect as quickly as possible. We are continuing to work with other partner countries, including Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Kenya, to maintain their market access and replicate the effects of EU arrangements for when we need them, whether that is in the event of a no deal, or after an implementation period.

Wines: Exports

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her Department is taking to support British wine exports.

Graham Stuart: The global demand for British wine continues to increase, with British wine now being sold in over 40 countries world-wide. The Department works hand-in-hand with key industry bodies to help support and promote the sector. Our activities include: hosting international buyer visits to the UK and matchmaking them with UK wine producers; providing financial support for companies to exhibit at key overseas trade shows; supporting overseas missions to new markets; and running influencer visits to continue to enhance the reputation of our wine industry globally.

Arms Trade: United Arab Emirates

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions the Government has had with the UAE Government on ensuring the exports outlined in the New Security Export Strategy will be used in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Conor Burns: The new Security Export Strategy does not outline any specific exports to the UAE and no discussions linked to the strategy have taken place with the UAE Government. The UK Government takes exporting responsibly very seriously. Where an export licence is required, it will be thoroughly assessed against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.

Prime Minister

Prorogation

Deidre Brock: To ask the Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of Ministers' compliance with Section 1 of the Ministerial Code in relation to the prorogation of parliament as a result of the Supreme Court judgment in the cases of Cherry and others (Respondents) v Advocate General for Scotland (Appellant) (Scotland) and R (on the application of Miller) (Appellant) v The Prime Minister (Respondent) made on  24 September 2019; and if he will make a statement.

Boris Johnson: Ministers acted in good faith to bring forward a Queen’s Speech, in the belief that prorogation was lawful, with which the High Court agreed. Ultimately the Supreme Court disagreed it was lawful, while not questioning the motives of Ministers.

Department of Energy and Climate Change

Layla Moran: To ask the Prime Minister, whether his Government plans to reinstate the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Boris Johnson: There are no plans to do so. By embedding energy and climate change in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, we are ensuring that supporting clean growth and taking global action to tackle climate change is joined up with our support for business to invest, innovate and grow. The Government has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the UK to net zero by 2050.

Department for Work and Pensions

Department for Work and Pensions: Energy Supply

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which provider supplies energy to his Department; how much CO2 was emitted through his Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria his Department uses to selecting an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.

Mims Davies: The following companies supply the Department with energy: Electricity – EDF and British Gas BusinessGas – Corona For the 2019/20 year to date (up to and including July 2019), emissions are 17,967 Tonnes of CO2 equivalent , which is 58% below the 2009/10 baseline for the same period. All of the Departments energy supplies are taken from agreements put in place by the Crown Commercial Services as per the Cabinet Office mandate. These frameworks do not include environmental factors as part of their selection criterion. In terms of what recent steps the department has taken to reduce CO2: - Devising and implementing new design standards to refurbishments and lifecycle works;- Implementing GBS BREEAM requirements for major refurbishments and new construction;- Working with our Estates supply chain to identify operational savings eg; unnecessary heating and lighting during office closures.;- Estate rationalisation.

Employment: Disability

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the Government's progress on achieving employment for one million more disabled people by 2027.

Justin Tomlinson: In 2017, the Government set out its commitment to see 1 million more disabled people in employment by 2027. In the first two years of the commitment (between Q1 2017 and Q1 2019), the number of disabled people in employment increased by 404,000.

Employment: Disability

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps she has taken to address the disability employment gap.

Justin Tomlinson: Government set out a ten year change programme, to improve disability employment, in the Command Paper “Improving Lives: the future of work, health and disability” (2017). This describes actions across welfare, workplace and health settings.Recent steps taken include:holding a consultation on how employers can best support disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to stay in and thrive in work;supporting disabled people into work through initiatives like the Work and Health Programme and Personal Support Package, and introducing the new Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, which will be in place by the end of 2019;from April 2019, we introduced an enhanced Disability Employment Adviser and a new Disability Employment Adviser Leader role, in total more than 800 individuals supporting Jobcentre colleagues to provide high quality services to disabled people and those with health conditions;using an Innovation Fund funded by DWP, DHSC, and NHS England to test initiatives to support disabled people and those with health conditions to get into, and remain in, work;introducing, in November 2018, a voluntary reporting framework to support employers to record and voluntarily report information on disability and mental health in the workplace;providing support for nearly 34,000 disabled workers last year through the Access to Work scheme; andengaging with employers through the Disability Confident scheme.

Employment: Disability

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of disabled people leaving work as a result of a (a) disability and (b) long-term health condition in (i) 2016, (ii) 2017 and (iii) 2018.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested is not available.

Department for Work and Pensions: Disability

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she has taken to increase the number of disabled people employed by her Department.

Justin Tomlinson: DWP is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and is committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining disabled people, and supporting them to achieve their full potential.To support this commitment and increase the number of disabled colleagues we employ we have implemented a number of actions which include: encouraging individuals to voluntarily share their personal diversity information so that we have a hold of our workforce representation; developing our attraction strategy to better promote the diversity of our workforce and our commitment to inclusion and equality of opportunity for all; a review of our recruitment process and adopting the new Civil Service Success Profile recruitment method, moving towards a more strengths based rather than competency focussed recruitment approach; continued application of the Guaranteed Interview Scheme to ensure that all disabled candidates who meet the minimum sift requirements are offered an interview, and provision of reasonable adjustment support throughout the whole application process; introduction of diverse interview panel representation; Implementation of a Senior Civil Servant new entrant disabled on-flow target of 12% by 2025, as of March 2019 we are achieving 11.3% (please note that these figures are not currently published)

Employment: Disability

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many organisations have participated in her Department's voluntary reporting framework on disability, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace since November 2018.

Justin Tomlinson: The voluntary reporting framework was developed by the Government in partnership with employers and expert partners to support organisations to record and voluntarily report information on disability, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. There is no requirement for them to notify the Government of this information and no figures on participation are held. The approach recognises that transparency can be an effective leaver in creating a more equal society both for employees within organisations and for external audiences.

Universal Credit: Fraud

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many third parties who have allegedly scammed people into making a universal credit claim have been identified and investigated; and how many of those third parties have been referred for prosecution.

Guy Opperman: Holding answer received on 30 September 2019



Examination of the cases currently being progressed by the Department indicates there are 107 third-party individuals that are subject to investigation. This number is subject to change as cases progress. At the time of submission, one 3rd party case has been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service and has been successfully prosecuted. There are a number of other cases at an advanced stage of investigation.

Severe Disability Premium

Damien Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants have received a Severe Disability Premium transitional payment; what the average lump sum was for a Severe Disability Premium payment; and what the cost to the public purse has been of payments made from the Severe Disability Premium.

Justin Tomlinson: A gateway was introduced from 16 January 2019 to prevent those claimants entitled to the Severe Disability Premium (SDP) as part of their legacy benefit from claiming Universal Credit. Additionally, a commitment was made for monthly transitional payments to be made to eligible former SDP claimants who have already moved to Universal Credit due to a change in circumstances and to provide a lump sum arrears payment, where appropriate. The Universal Credit (Managed Migration Pilot and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019, which were laid in Parliament on 22 July 2019, have allowed the Department to assess eligibility and make backdated payments to claimants covering the time since they moved to Universal Credit. As of 26 September 2019, over 13,800 claims have been paid an SDP transitional payment. The average (median) value of the lump sum payments is £2,280. To date, over £37.2m has been disbursed to support former SDP claimants, including the recurring payments that have now commenced.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Seagrass: Carbon Capture and Storage

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the merits of the use of underwater seagrass to capture and store carbon from the atmosphere.

Rebecca Pow: Defra recognises the role of blue carbon ecosystems including seagrasses, to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it for long periods of time as well as providing multiple other benefits such as storm protection, improving water quality, and benefiting biodiversity and fisheries. Our Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership have assessed how seagrass habitats can be managed and protected in a changing climate (mccip-seagrass report card). Nature-based solutions, including the protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems like seagrass, are key to tackling climate change and averting its impacts.

Livestock: Transport

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to review the six day standstill rule.

George Eustice: If livestock move on to a farm the standstill rule requires the farmer to retain all livestock on their farm, in most instances for six days, before being able to move any of them off again. There are a number of exemptions such as moves to slaughter. The aim is to find the balance between reducing the risk of undetected disease spread and the need to trade.In 2018, officials discussed the rule with representatives of the industry. It was agreed that a review of the rule would need to await the delivery of the new Livestock Information Service (LIS) as this will be a key source of movement data. The LIS will replace the current separate species movement reporting services in England. Delivery is planned to commence in late 2020 and should take approximately 2 years. Any consequent proposals to change the standstill arrangements will be assessed on an epidemiological risk basis and will be subject to public consultation.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Energy Supply

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which provider supplies energy to her Department; how much CO2 was emitted through her Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria her Department uses to select an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps her Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.

George Eustice: The Defra Group publishes its annual carbon footprint in its annual report and account. The latest version is published here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/818863/defra-annual-report-2018-2019-web.pdf This report provides an overview of Defra group performance against the GGC targets. Defra Group emitted 61,128 tonnes CO2e in 2018/19. We are mandated to use Crown Commercial Services Frameworks when it comes to selecting our energy suppliers. These are EDF, British Gas Business for electricity and Corona for Gas. We are unable to comment on the selection criteria used in awarding these supplier a place on these frameworks. 88% of the electricity Defra Group purchases comes from renewable sources from these suppliers. We have reduced our carbon emissions by 48.8% since 2010, through investments in energy saving technology across the group by retrofitting: LED lighting,updated building management systems,biomass boilers,energy efficient boilers,solar photovoltaicsand wind turbines. We are looking to continue this investment through our SR19/SR20 bids in sustainable technology.

Fisheries: Navy

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 11 July 2017 to Question 2722, what progress she has made on assessing the required strength of the fisheries protection fleet after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: We will continue to monitor, control and enforce fishing regulations in our own waters as an independent costal state after we leave the EU on 31 October. We currently take robust intelligence-led enforcement action against illegal fishing and this will continue when we leave the EU. We have assessed the risk of increased illegal fishing when the UK leaves the EU and have strengthened our resources accordingly. This includes an increase to the number of frontline warranted officers, increased aerial surveillance and further vessels to enhance patrolling capacity at sea.

Food: UK Trade With EU

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to extend the lamb purchase scheme announced by the Prime Minister on 30 July 2019 to (a) other meats, (b) poultry and (c) fish.

George Eustice: We have made it clear that we will support vulnerable sectors through Government intervention in the event of a ‘no deal’, should this be necessary. We will be monitoring the sectors which may be exposed to short-term difficulties as a result of EU Exit closely to identify early signs of market disturbance allowing us to react swiftly.

Fisheries: Protection

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2018 to Question 197445, what increase there has been in the number of (a) personnel and (b) surveillance assets relating to fisheries protection since 3 December 2018; and what increases are planned ahead of the UK leaving the EU.

George Eustice: Control and enforcement is a devolved matter. As such, it will continue to be for each Devolved Administration to decide how best to control its waters, and what new arrangements may be needed. We continue to work closely with the Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure a coordinated approach to fisheries control and enforcement across UK waters. In England, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has assessed the levels of enforcement capacity required and the options for best delivering this. A significant uplift in control and enforcement capability is being put in place to ensure that we will be able to protect our waters after leaving the EU. This includes an increased number of warranted officers available for fisheries enforcement purposes by 50% – taking the total to more than 80, with additional officers undergoing enforcement training. It also includes increased aerial surveillance capabilities and measures put in place to deliver a sevenfold increase patrolling capacity at sea from 18/19 to 19/20.

Agriculture: Biofuels

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on (a) wheat and (b) dairy farmers of the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and what assessment she has made of the level of the UK's reliance on imported bioethanol.

George Eustice: We have been meeting regularly with the food and farming sectors across the UK to understand and anticipate the potential impacts of a no deal scenario on our agri-food industry. The UK is a net importer of dairy but there are specific products of which we are net exporters. These may face tariff and non-tariff barriers to future EU export, and this will have a larger impact on Northern Ireland where they are heavily reliant on the Irish market. For wheat, for the last few years the UK has been a net importer, but it’s likely that this harvest will see us becoming a net exporter. MFN tariffs on wheat into the EU are extremely high, however, there is an underutilised tariff rate quota. We currently import around 2/3rds of our bioethanol, mainly from the EU. The UK alcohol industry, particularly gin and vodka, is reliant on EU bioethanol. Bioethanol is also a vital processing aid in the production of food flavourings and colourings, household and industrial cleaners, toiletries, cosmetics and medicinal agents. Ethanol is a globally traded commodity and we do not anticipate any shortages as a result of our exit from the EU.

Tea: Plastics

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to introduce a ban on the sale of plastic tea bags.

Rebecca Pow: The Department has no plans to introduce a ban on the sale of plastic tea bags.In general, we prefer to help people and companies make the right choice, rather than banning items outright. Where progress is insufficient we will explore alternative policy measures, which may involve further bans as part of a wider strategic approach.

Department for International Development

Department for International Development: Brexit

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate he has made of the amount of funding allocated by his Department to consultancy services to support its preparations for the UK leaving the EU.

Andrew Stephenson: Since 2016, DFID has allocated £100,000 to consultancy services to assess the impact and opportunities of Brexit on the UK international development sector.

Development Aid: Poverty

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that Official Development Assistance expenditure by other Departments contributes to poverty reduction.

Andrew Stephenson: DFID and HMT routinely work on the rules and requirements governing the use of Official Development Assistance (ODA), including the central contribution to poverty reduction through established governance structures such as the ODA Ministerial group and supporting Senior Officials group. Ultimately, Secretaries of State for any Government Department spending ODA under the International Development Act are responsible for ensuring that this spend meets its statutory obligations including ensuring that it is likely to contribute to poverty reduction. All UK ODA must also meet OECD Development Assistance Committee eligibility criteria – that is, ODA must be administered with the promotion of economic development and welfare of developing countries as its main objective.

West Bank: Demolition

Jeff Smith: What steps his Department is taking to support Palestinian families threatened by home demolition and forcible transfer in (a) East Jerusalem and (b) the rest of the West Bank.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Government has repeatedly raised our concerns on this issue with the Israeli authorities. I did so personally during my visit to Israel and subsequently.In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions and evictions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and is harmful to the peace process.Our firm position is evidenced by our support for Palestinians facing demolition or eviction through our legal aid programme, which helps residents challenge decisions in the Israeli legal system.

Developing Countries: Climate Change

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: Whether he plans to provide additional financial support to low-income countries that incur loss and damage caused by climate-related events.

Andrew Stephenson: In 2018, the UK provided £1.2 billion of humanitarian aid. This is additional to the international climate finance we provide. With Egypt, we led calls for greater action to build resilience at the UN Climate Summit, where we announced a further £175 million to help protect up to a billion people from the impact of disasters.

Israel: Palestinians

Andy Slaughter: What representations he has made to the Government of Israel on the potential effect of annexing the Jordan valley on the social and economic well-being of the Palestinian people.

Dr Andrew Murrison: With France, Germany, Spain and Italy, the UK has made clear publicly our deep concern over recent suggestions that parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territories would be annexed. Such a move would be contrary to international law, damaging to peace efforts and could not pass unchallenged. The Government has regularly raised these concerns with the Israeli authorities.

Scotland Office

Scotland: Economic Situation

Hugh Gaffney: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent assessment he has made of the effect on the Scottish economy in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Mr Alister Jack: The Government delivered on its commitment to provide objective analysis to Parliament of how exiting the EU may affect the economy of the UK, sectors, nations and regions in the long run. As we leave the EU the Scottish economy remains resilient, with near record high employment, unemployment at historic low rates, and above inflation rises in wages. The Government would prefer to leave with a deal and will work in an energetic and determined way to get that better deal. However, if it is not possible to reach a deal we will have to leave with no deal, and the Government is committed to preparing for this outcome.

Cabinet Office

Elections: EU Nationals

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether EU citizens will have the right to vote in the May 2020 local elections in the event that the UK has left the EU (a) with or (b) without a deal.

Kevin Foster: The rights of EU citizens to vote and stand in UK local elections are set out in primary legislation and will not immediately change on exit from the EU. We are seeking reciprocal bilateral agreements to secure the rights and interests of British expats in EU countries.The Scottish and Welsh Governments are responsible for their own franchise for local and devolved elections.

Cabinet Office: Brexit

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many non-disclosure agreements in relation to preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal his Department has signed with (a) private organisations and (b) public organisations from (i) 23 June 2016 to 22 August 2019 and (ii) since 22 August 2019.

Kevin Foster: This information is not held centrally. However, following investigation, we have not found records of the Cabinet Office signing any non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with private organisations or public organisations between 23 June 2016 and 22 August 2019, and since 22 August 2019, in relation to preparations for leaving the EU without a deal.The new Government has changed the approach to NDAs. As announced on August 22 organisations working with government on Brexit will no longer be routinely required to sign NDAs.

Government Departments: Ethics

Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent advice he has received from the Director General of the Propriety and Ethics Team on the (a) standards and ethics and (b) corporate governance of government departments.

Kevin Foster: It has been the policy of successive administrations not to provide the contents of advice from officials to Ministers. Standards, ethics and corporate governance of a government department is a matter for the Permanent Secretary and minister in charge of each individual department.

Ministers: Conduct

Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many requests for investigations into the conduct of ministers has the Director General of the Propriety and Ethics Team received in the last 12 months.

Kevin Foster: The Ministerial Code sets out the process for investigations into the conduct of Ministers:“If there is an allegation about a breach of the Code, and the Prime Minister, having consulted the Cabinet Secretary, feels that it warrants further investigation, he may ask the Cabinet Office to investigate the facts of the case and/or refer the matter to the independent adviser on Ministers’ interests.”The published reports of the independent adviser on Ministers’ interests contain information about investigations conducted in response to allegations about the conduct of Ministers.

Northern Ireland Office

Abortion: Northern Ireland

Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with pro-life groups in Northern Ireland on the legislation to decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland.

Julian Smith: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.There are a range of sensitive policy issues to carefully work through in order to deliver regulations to provide access to abortion services in Northern Ireland by 31 March 2020 in Northern Ireland. This duty will come into effect if the Northern Ireland Executive is not restored by 21 October 2019.  Government officials including from the NIO have met some representatives of the medical profession and other stakeholders and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead. There will also be a period of consultation throughout this process for individuals in Northern Ireland as well as relevant organisations to provide input and views. I will continue to keep the House updated on these plans at the appropriate opportunities through the Executive Formation Act reporting requirements. The Government's preference remains seeing the Stormont institutions back up and running so they can take forward any issues of reform on these types of sensitive devolved issues, as a matter of priority.

Julian Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.There are a range of sensitive policy issues to carefully work through in order to deliver regulations to provide access to abortion services in Northern Ireland by 31 March 2020 in Northern Ireland. This duty will come into effect if the Northern Ireland Executive is not restored by 21 October 2019.  Government officials including from the NIO have met some representatives of the medical profession and other stakeholders and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead. There will also be a period of consultation throughout this process for individuals in Northern Ireland as well as relevant organisations to provide input and views. I will continue to keep the House updated on these plans at the appropriate opportunities through the Executive Formation Act reporting requirements. The Government's preference remains seeing the Stormont institutions back up and running so they can take forward any issues of reform on these types of sensitive devolved issues, as a matter of priority.

Anniversaries: Northern Ireland

Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with political parties on plans to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021.

Julian Smith: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.My discussions with the political parties have been focused to date on the urgent need to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland. Officials in my Department are exploring options for marking the centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021.

Julian Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.My discussions with the political parties have been focused to date on the urgent need to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland. Officials in my Department are exploring options for marking the centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021.

Northern Ireland Office: Energy Supply

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which provider supplies energy to his Department; how much CO2 was emitted through his Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria his Department uses to selecting an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.

Julian Smith: My Department receives a facilities management service for its office accommodation in Belfast and London. In Belfast the Landlord is the Department of Finance NI, and in London the landlord is HMT and utility usage is included within the HMT service charge. As a result, the department does not hold the information on utility providers and CO2 emissions.

Welfare State: Northern Ireland

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the welfare mitigation package for people in Northern Ireland will be extended beyond March 2020.

Julian Smith: The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland is responsible for the delivery of the various mitigation schemes relating to welfare reform in Northern Ireland. A decision to extend mitigations beyond March 2020 would be a matter for an incoming Minister for Communities in a restored Northern Ireland Executive.

Treasury

Treasury: Energy Supply

Nic Dakin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which provider supplies energy to his Department; how much CO2 was emitted through his Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria his Department uses to selecting an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.

Mr Simon Clarke: The Treasury’s Electricity supplier is EDF and the Gas supplier is Corona. EDF and Corona Energy are the sole suppliers on the Crown Commercial Services Framework for Electricity and Gas respectively. Crown Commercial Services select the energy suppliers for their framework.CO2 emissions for the period April 2018 to March 2019 were 825 tonnes. Since February 2019, HM Treasury’s electricity supply is backed by certifiable renewable technologies which have a zero emissions rating.

Excise Duties: Wines

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to reduce the excise duty on (a) wine, (b) sparkling wines and (c) fortified wines.

Mr Simon Clarke: The actions taken by the Government since ending the wine duty escalator in 2014 have ensured that the price of typical bottle of wine is 16p lower in real terms than it otherwise would have been. However, alcohol duties raise vital revenue to fund public services, and in order to protect the public finances, an RPI increase in duty rates is assumed in the public finances for all alcoholic drinks each year. All taxes are kept under review and the impact of a change to wine duty is considered at each Budget.

Customs: France

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Treasury, what estimate he has made of the proportion of UK lorries travelling across the English Channel that will be prepared for French customs checks in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Jesse Norman: The Government has recently published our assessment of the flow of freight across the border in a Reasonable Worst Case Scenario as of 2 August. The assessment can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/831199/20190802_Latest_Yellowhammer_Planning_assumptions_CDL.pdfSince that date, the Government has taken significant steps to improve levels of trader and haulier readiness to improve overall flow across the short Strait crossings. This includes a £100m public information campaign and additional funding for businesses and trade associations to support traders and hauliers to get ready.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Energy Supply

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which provider supplies energy to his Department; how much CO2 was emitted through his Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria his Department uses to selecting an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.

Nigel Adams: The Department’s energy is supplied by HMRC, from whom DCMS leases office space. As such we have no direct contact or relationship with any supplier. CO2 emissions are calculated at a building level and we are unable to accurately report on the Department’s emissions. DCMS does not have control over the building wide activities of other departments based at 100 Parliament St, or policies around building sustainability made by HMRC.

Hacker House: Grants

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, under (a) which scheme and (b) what criteria the company Hacker House Ltd was awarded a grant of £100,000 in January 2019.

Nicky Morgan: In February 2019, following an open competition, Hacker House Limited was awarded grant funding under the Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund. The Fund is designed to provide grant funding to organisations working to increase the number and diversity of individuals pursuing a career in the cyber security profession and encourages a market-led approach to sustainable growth of the cyber retraining ecosystem.All applications were assessed against criteria outlined in guidance documentation available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cyber-security-skills-immediate-impact-fund. The criteria included demonstration of an effective and sustainable approach to train and place individuals into UK cyber security employment.

Internet: Safety

Darren Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the new internet protocol DNS over HTTPS on the effectiveness of UK law enforcement and regulation online; and if she will make a statement.

Darren Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of DNS over HTTPS on data privacy of UK citizens in view of the potential for large quantities of user data to move outwith the UK.

Darren Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with (a) Google, (b) Mozilla and (c) Cloudflare on the new DNS over HTTPS protocol and ensuring the online safety and security of UK citizens.

Matt Warman: We are aware of ongoing developments relating to the DNS and HTTPS protocol and are working with industry and other key stakeholders to understand potential unintended consequences arising from its implementation. DCMS officials are working closely with the ICO to ensure that data privacy and security is maintained for UK citizens.  We are working closely with a wide range of relevant stakeholders to ensure that new technologies do not compromise user privacy, safety and security. We welcome the efforts made by major browser companies to understand our concerns with certain aspects of DNS over HTTPS and the recent clarifications from some firms about their plans for rollout in the United Kingdom.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Staff

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many qualified archaeologists are employed in her Department.

Helen Whately: There are no roles in DCMS which require an employee to be a qualified archaeologist and we do not actively collect this information.

Musicians: British Nationals Abroad

James Frith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to ensure that British musicians will be able to apply for work permits that will be valid from 1 November 2019 in the event that an agreement is not reached before the UK leaves the EU.

Nigel Adams: When the UK leaves the EU on 31 October 2019, free movement as it currently stands will end. Musicians will need to check if they need a visa or work permit and meet any requirements for their profession to work in the EU country they’re visiting. Officials are meeting with the music industry to ensure that professionals in the sector are aware of Government guidance on EU Exit, and have time to prepare for changes at the border in the event the UK leaves without a Deal.

Hacker House: Grants

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with her Department’s officials about the circumstances of the award of a £100,000 grant to the company Hacker House in January 2019.

Nicky Morgan: I have instructed my officials to commission a review that will look into allegations from the Sunday Times in relation to Hacker House’s application for grant funding awarded under the Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund. Subject to any legal restrictions (such as data protection laws and duties to protect commercial or confidential information), I have asked my officials to make available the relevant information regarding the decision making process as soon as possible, and by 31 October 2019 at the latest

Huawei: 5G

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessments he has made of the potential (a) merits and (b) risks of allowing Huawei to access the UK’s 5G network.

Matt Warman: The Telecoms Supply Chain Review published in July 2019 drew on a large evidence base including economic and security factors. This included a full security risk assessment undertaken by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Decisions on any controls relating to high risk vendors have been deferred to allow the implications of the US entity listing on the telecoms market as a whole to be taken into account. These decisions will be announced in due course.

Hacker House

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what information her Department holds on Hacker House's presence in the UK.

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will publish the dates and minutes of meetings held between her Department and representatives of Hacker House.

Nicky Morgan: I have instructed my officials to commission a review that will look into allegations from the Sunday Times in relation to Hacker House’s application for grant funding awarded under the Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund.Subject to any legal restrictions (such as data protection laws and duties to protect commercial or confidential information), we will make available the relevant information regarding the decision making process as soon as possible, and by 31 October 2019 at the latest.

BBC: Complaints

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the BBC Executive Complaints Unit’s interpretation of its impartiality guidelines in supporting a complaint against Ms Naga Munchetty for her comments about remarks made by the President of the United States.

Nigel Adams: The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from government. It is therefore not for the government to undertake this kind of assessment. The BBC’s website sets out how it will handle complaints: http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/handle-complaint/. Where the BBC’s complaints process has been exhausted, there may be recourse to take the complaint to Ofcom as the BBC’s independent regulator

Hacker House: Grants

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will publish the performance indicators and metrics for the grant funding awarded to Hacker House; and what assessment she has made of whether those performance indicators have been met.

Matt Warman: All initiatives awarded grant funding through the Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund (CSIIF) are regularly monitored. We track performance in identifying, training, and placing candidates into cyber security jobs, reviewed against the targets set out in the relevant grant agreement. Updates on the performance of these projects are published as part of the National Cyber Security Strategy progress report. I have instructed my officials to commission a review that will look into allegations from the Sunday Times in relation to Hacker House’s application for grant funding awarded under the Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund. Subject to any legal restrictions (such as data protection laws and duties to protect commercial or confidential information), we will make available the relevant information regarding the decision making process as soon as possible, and by 31 October 2019 at the latest.

Pornography: Internet

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether it is her policy to lay before Parliament the statutory instruments required to give legal effect to the regulations on age verification for commercial pornography sites by 3 October 2019.

Matt Warman: The British Board of Film Classification Guidance on Age Verification Arrangements is still in the standard three month standstill period under the EU Technical Standards and Regulatory Directive and the earliest it will complete is 2nd October 2019. We will provide further details once the standstill period has finished.

Press: Privacy

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Independent Press Standards Organisation on improving the conduct of the press intruding into the private lives of non-political public figures.

Nigel Adams: The independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) is part of the strengthened system of independent, self regulation of the press which has developed since the publication of the Leveson Report. IPSO has been subject to external review, and found to have made important achievements in demonstrating itself to be an independent and effective regulator.

Gambling

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps she has taken to reduce gambling related harm.

Helen Whately: Millions of people gamble as a leisure pursuit without suffering harm but in recognition of the risk that gambling can carry, the sector is strongly regulated. The Gambling Commission has broad and flexible powers to set licence conditions and take action where there is evidence of harm. In May 2018 the government published the response to the consultation on Proposals for Changes to Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures and as a result the maximum stake on B2 machines was cut from £100 to £2 in April this year. In addition, the Gambling Commission has tightened identity and age verification controls online and introduced tougher sanctions for breaches of advertising codes, and is currently consulting on whether gambling with credit cards online should be restricted or banned. A multi-million pound safer gambling advertising campaign, Bet Regret, was launched in February this year, aimed at reducing risky and impulsive gambling.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Towns Fund

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on which dates the 100 towns invited to develop proposals for the £3.6 billion Towns Fund were allocated funding.

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what criteria were used to select the 100 towns that will receive funding from the Towns Fund.

Jake Berry: I refer the Hon. Member to the PQ (UIN 291442) answered on 2 October 2019.

Towns Fund

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what criteria his Department used to identify the 100 towns invited to develop proposals for the £3.6 billion towns fund.

Jake Berry: Holding answer received on 01 October 2019



On 6 September the government announced an initial 100 places that will be invited to develop proposals for Town Deals and we will work with local people from these communities to agree investment of up to £25 million in each place.Places have been chosen on the basis of a robust selection methodology. This took into account various qualitative and quantitative indicators. These include, income deprivation, skills, productivity, EU exit response, economic shocks, investment opportunities and policy alignment. The government will publish further details on how the fund will operate in due course.

Housing Associations

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing councils with the power to manage properties currently owned by housing associations.

Esther McVey: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's consultation entitled, Building a safer future: proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system, whether he plans to lower the threshold at which combustible materials are banned for use on new high-rise residential buildings from 18 metres to 11 metres.

Esther McVey: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Buildings: Insulation

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's consultation entitled, Building a safer future: proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system, whether he plans to undertake a consultation on banning the use of combustible materials on the external walls of (a) hospitals, (b) care homes and (c) sheltered housing.

Esther McVey: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Buildings: Insulation

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's data release entitled, Building Safety Programme: Monthly Data Release for August 2019, what steps his Department is taking to confirm the cladding status of the four private sector residential buildings for which such status is still to be confirmed.

Esther McVey: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Temporary Accommodation

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of trends in level of people living in temporary accommodation in the last three years.

Luke Hall: This government has now committed over £1.2 billion to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the spending review period to April 2020. In 2020/2021 we are providing a further £422 million to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. This marks a £54 million increase in funding from the previous year. This highlights the government’s continued focus on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, and we will announce how this additional funding has been allocated in due course.On 31 March 2019, the total number of households in temporary accommodation arranged by local authorities under homelessness legislation was 84,740. This has increased for the same quarter each year from 80,720 on 31 March 2018 and 77,220 on 31 March 2017.The evidence suggests that more single people are receiving help than ever before. Single households now make up the largest proportion of homeless applicants. 66 per cent of households owed a duty were single households, compared to 30 per cent in Q4 2017 (prior to the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017). Previously this group has been underrepresented in the reported statistics and it has been hard to determine what assistance has been provided to them.Most households at risk of homelessness are having it successfully prevented. 57 per cent of the households whose prevention duty ended in this period secured their existing accommodation or were helped to find alternative accommodation.40 per cent of the households whose relief duty ended in this period were helped to find accommodation. Altogether, 31,180 households secured accommodation through these new duties between January and March 2018.

Temporary Accommodation

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support individuals and families in temporary accommodation to move into long-term housing.

Luke Hall: This government has now committed over £1.2 billion to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the spending review period to April 2020. In 2020/2021 we are providing a further £422 million to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. This marks a £54 million increase in funding from the previous year. This highlights the government’s continued focus on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, and we will announce how this additional funding has been allocated in due course.Time spent in temporary accommodation (TA) means people are getting help and it ensures no family is without a roof over their head.In the Rough Sleeping Strategy, the government committed to tackling wider homelessness issues, including the numbers of families in TA and poor-quality accommodation.In 2011, the law was changed to allow councils to place families in decent and affordable private rented homes. This now means homeless households should not have to wait as long for settled accommodation.The government has targeted funding streams focused on reducing the number of households in TA. For example the £20 million Private Rented Sector Access Fund is funding schemes aimed at supporting over 8,000 people who are or at risk of homelessness into sustainable private rented sector accommodation.

Homelessness

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of funding allocated to local authorities to implement the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

Luke Hall: The government has provided £72.7 million in new burdens funding for local authorities to implement the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.  This government has now committed over £1.2 billion to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the spending review period to April 2020. In 2020/2021 we are providing a further £422 million to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. This marks a £54 million increase in funding from the previous year. This highlights the government’s continued focus on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, and we will announce how this additional funding has been allocated in due course.We are also currently undertaking a review of the Act which includes a review of the new burdens funding.Alongside this financial support the Department established the Homelessness Advice and Support Team (HAST). HAST is made up of experts from the homelessness sector and local authorities. The team has been working with, and supporting, local authorities to help them bring in the Act. They continue to provide support and assistance to improve their homelessness services.

Sleeping Rough

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2019 to Question 239278 on Sleeping Rough, when he plans to publish the impact and process evaluation of the rough sleeping initiative.

Luke Hall: Our Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) Impact Report was published on 12 September 2019 and assesses the impact of the initiative from its launch in March 2018 until Autumn that year. The analysis reports a welcome 32 per cent reduction in numbers of rough sleepers in areas funded by the RSI, compared to what the level would have been had the initiative not been in place.We are expecting to be able to publish the process evaluation for the RSI later this year. This will evaluate mobilisation of the first year of RSI funded interventions in individual local authority areas, identifying barriers and enablers and highlighting good practice.The government is committed to reducing homelessness and rough sleeping. It is simply unacceptable that anyone should be sleeping on the streets in modern Britain. In 2019-20, the RSI is providing £46 million to local authorities, funding an additional 750 staff and 2,600 bed spaces across the country.

Affordable Housing and Social Rented Housing

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to increase the provision of (a) affordable housing and (b) social housing in (i) London and (ii) England.

Esther McVey: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Women and Equalities

Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendment) (Sibling Couples) Bill [HL]

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether an estimate has been made of the number of sibling couples who will be affected by the provisions of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendment) (Sibling Couples) Bill [HL] 2017-19; and if se will make a statement.

Victoria Atkins: The Government has made no estimate of the number of siblings who would be affected by the provisions of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendment) (Sibling Couples) Bill [HL] 2017-19.The Government is very clear that there is a significant difference between an intimate partner relationship (for which civil partnerships are intended) and a relationship between siblings or other family members and has no intention of extending civil partnerships to siblings.

Church of England: Equality

Tonia Antoniazzi: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government has taken to monitor Church of England compliance with equality legislation.

Victoria Atkins: The Government does not routinely monitor compliance with equality legislation of any particular body or organisation, including the Church of England.It would be a matter for an individual who felt that they had been discriminated against by the Church, or any other religious organisation, to seek a resolution including, ultimately, bringing a case to the courts.In order to help assist in informal resolution of any situation, members of the public who feel that they have suffered discrimination because of religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic, can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service. That is a free service covering England, Scotland and Wales which offers advice on dispute resolution, prior to consideration of instigating formal proceedings.

Equal Pay: LGBT People

Tom Brake: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities,  whether her Department has made an assessment of any potential discrepancies in rates of pay between heterosexual and non-heterosexual workers.

Victoria Atkins: The Government does not currently collect data on differences in pay for LGBT vs non-LGBT staff. There is likely to be variation in the extent to which organisations collect this information about their staff. As part of the LGBT Action Plan, the Government Equalities Office is working with the Office for National Statistics and the Government Statistical Service on a cross-government project to develop monitoring standards for sexual orientation and gender identity across central government. These standards will be freely available to the wider public and private sectors, which will enable organisations to introduce measures, such as monitoring the LGBT pay gap, if they so wish.